Missouri (KFVS) - More Missourians are buckling up when they hit the road, but numbers show the state is still lagging behind the national average.

According to a new report from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), 87.1 percent of Missourians are using a safety belt. Ten years ago it was only 60 percent.

The national average for seat belt usage is 89.7 percent according to MoDOT.

“We’ve seen a 5.7 percent increase in usage in the past two years alone. We’ve increased educational efforts through the Buckle Up Phone Down program statewide, and the survey results show those messages are being heard.”